Fan assembly

ABSTRACT

A fan assembly includes a first fan module and a second fan module arranged in parallel, and a shock absorber mounted between the first and second fan modules. A cavity is defined in a middle of the shock absorber, for counteracting and absorbing vibrations created by the first and second fan modules.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a fan assembly.

2. Description of Related Art

In electronic devices, fan modules may be mounted inside the devices for dissipating heat. However, in use, vibrations of the fan modules may affect operation of other components in the devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, all the views are schematic, and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a fan assembly, wherein the fan assembly includes a shock absorber.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, inverted view of the shock absorber of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an assembled, isometric view of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one”.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an exemplary embodiment of a fan assembly. The fan assembly includes a first fan module 10, a second fan module 20, and a shock absorber 30 made of plastic material.

Each of the first fan module 10 and the second fan module 20 includes two fans 12 positioned in tandem.

The shock absorber 30 includes a first absorber 32 and a second absorber 36. The first absorber 32 includes a top wall 321, two first sidewalls 322 extending downward from opposite sides of the top wall 321 in a perpendicular manner, and two first end walls 323 extending downward from opposite ends of the top wall 321 in a perpendicular manner. A first cavity 325 is bounded by the top wall 321, the first sidewalls 322, and the first end walls 323. Two pins 327 protrude downward from the bottom of each first sidewall 322. The second absorber 36 includes a bottom wall 361, two second sidewalls 362 extending upward from opposite sides of the bottom wall 361 in a perpendicular manner, and two second end walls 363 extending upward from opposite ends of the bottom wall 361 in a perpendicular manner. A second cavity 365 is bounded by the bottom wall 361, the second sidewalls 362, and the second end walls 363. Two fixing holes 367 are defined in the top of each second sidewall 362.

In assembly, the pins 327 are respectively engaged in the fixing holes 367. Thereby, the first absorber 32 covers the second absorber 36. The first cavity 325 is in communication with the second cavity 365. The shock absorber 30 is assembled. The first fan module 10 and the second fan module 20 are arranged in parallel. The first and second sidewalls 322 and 362 at one side of the shock absorber 30 are affixed to one side of the first fan module 10 facing the second fan module 20 with double faced adhesive tape or glue, and the first and second sidewalls 322 and 362 at the other side of the shock absorber 30 are affixed to the one side of the second fan module 20 facing the first fan module 10 with double faced adhesive tape or glue. Thereby, the shock absorber 30 is sandwiched between the first and second fan modules 10 and 20. The fan assembly is assembled.

The fan assembly is mounted in an electronic device. In use, most vibrations produced by the first and second fan modules 10 and 20 are transferred to the shock absorber 30, and are counteracted in the first and second cavities 325 and 365. Thereby, most of the vibrations created by the fan modules 10 and 20 are absorbed by the shock absorber 30, and will not affect operation of other components in the electronic device.

In other embodiments, the shock absorber 30 can be integrally formed. A cavity is directly defined in a middle of the shock absorber 30.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and the functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in details, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fan assembly, comprising: a first fan module; a second fan module arranged in parallel with the first fan module; and a shock absorber mounted between the first and second fan modules, wherein a cavity is defined in a middle of the shock absorber, for counteracting and absorbing vibrations created by the first and second fan modules.
 2. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein opposite sides of the shock absorber are respectively affixed to the first and second fan modules.
 3. The fan assembly of claim 2, wherein the shock absorber comprises a first absorber and a second absorber covered to the first absorber, the cavity comprises a first cavity defined in the first absorber facing towards the second absorber, and a second cavity defined in the second absorber facing towards the first absorber and communicating with the first cavity.
 4. The fan assembly of claim 3, wherein the first absorber comprises a top wall, two first sidewalls extending downward from opposite sides of the top wall, and two first end walls extending downward from opposite ends of the top wall, the first cavity is bounded by the top wall, the first sidewalls, and the first end walls.
 5. The fan assembly of claim 4, wherein the second absorber comprises a bottom wall, two second sidewalls extending upward from opposite sides of the bottom wall, and two second end walls extending upward from opposite ends of the bottom wall, the second cavity is bounded by the bottom wall, the second sidewalls, and the second end walls.
 6. The fan assembly of claim 5, wherein two fixing holes are defined in a top of each second sidewall, and two pins protrude downward from a bottom of each first sidewall, to engage in the corresponding fixing holes.
 7. The fan assembly of claim 2, wherein the opposite sides of the shock absorber are respectively affixed to the first and second fan modules with double faced adhesive tapes or glue.
 8. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fan modules comprises two fans positioned in tandem. 